Video lesson
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Editorβs notes
In this video Iβll teach you how to play Creep by Radiohead. Specifically, Iβll explain how to play this song without requiring barre chords β which can be a deal-breaker for guitarists who are just starting out. Iβll explain how a single 3-finger chord voicing can be used to play each chord in this song. Iβll also explain the strumming patterns and show some other ways to add flourish. Great song, I hope you enjoy this lesson!
Lyrics w/ chords
INTRO
G - B - C - Cm
VERSE
G B
When you were here before...I couldnβt look you in the eye
C Cm
Just like an angel... your skin makes me cry
G B
You float like a feather... in a beautiful world
C Cm
And I wish was special... youβre so very special
CHORUS
C B
But Iβm a creep... Iβm a weirdo
C Cm
What the hell am I doing here... I donβt belong here
(repeat same progression for rest of song)
I donβt care if it hurts... I wanna have control
I want a perfect body... I want a perfect soul β¨I want you to notice... when Iβm not around
Youβre so very special... I wish I was special
But Iβm a creep... Iβm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
When I donβt belong here...
Whoa, whoa...
Sheβs... running out the door...
Sheβs... running out, she run, run...
Run... Run...
Whatever makes you happy... whatever you want β¨Youβre so very special... I wish I was special
But Iβm a creep... Iβm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I donβt belong here... I donβt belong here
(end on G)
Chords
I prefer starting with a 3-finger position for each chord:
E ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
B ββββββββββββββββββ4βββββ
G βββ4ββββ8ββββ9ββββ5βββββ
D βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββxβββββ
A βββxββββxββββxββββ3βββββ
E βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββββββββ
G B C Cm
As I show in the video lesson, this finger approach lets you add the 4th tone to each chord, to match the vibe that the lead guitarist adds during Radioheadβs version of this song. See my video lesson for reference:
E ββββββββββββββββββββββββ
B ββββββββββββββββββ6βββββ
G βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββ5βββββ
D βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββxβββββ
A βββxββββxββββxββββ3βββββ
E βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββββββββ
G4 B4 C4 Cm4
Or you can play the chords like this:
4-finger version: Fully barred version:
E ββββββββββββββββββββββββ E βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββ3βββββ
B ββββββββββββββββββ4βββββ B βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββ4βββββ
G βββ4ββββ8ββββ9ββββ5βββββ G βββ4ββββ8ββββ9ββββ5βββββ
D βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββ5βββββ D βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββ5βββββ
A βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββ3βββββ A βββ5ββββ9βββ10ββββ3βββββ
E βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββxβββββ E βββ3ββββ7ββββ8ββββxβββββ
G B C Cm G B C Cm
Strumming
Full strum:
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
D D U D D U D U D U D U D U D U D D U
> > > > > >
Simple strum:
1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a
D D D D U D D D D U D D D D U D D D D U
> > > > > > > >
Good luck!
I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any comments or feedback. Thanks!
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